heartbreak

noun

heart·​break ˈhärt-ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

has had more than her share of heartbreak

Synonyms of heartbreak

• sorrow
• grief
• anguish

Examples of heartbreak in a Sentence

He recently suffered a string of romantic heartbreaks.

I understand the heartbreak you must feel over your grandmother's death.

Recent Examples on the Web

Season 2 saw the ladies battling love, heartbreak, motherhood, jealousy, and the full force of the English legal system. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026

Season 2 saw these American whirlwinds battling love, heartbreak, motherhood, jealousy and the full force of the English legal system. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026

Rather than centering heartbreak, the remix celebrated moving on and leveling up. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

Maura’s heartbreak might be the image we’re left with, but Rob took no prisoners. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heartbreak

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache

Kids Definition

heartbreak

noun

heart·​break -ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

heartbreaking

-ˌbrā-kiŋ

adjective

heartbreakingly adverb

heartbroken

-ˌbrō-kən

adjective